Horror Books

This book is very misleading, especially if you purchaser it at a local book store. It IS NOT a new novel, but rather a new 130 page novella packaged with an old Jack Ketchum novella, Right to Life. The book jacket is somewhat misleading, so buyer beware.

But, I don't give this book 2 stars simply because of this. The truth be told, Ketchum's new novella, Old Flames, starts off very slow and boring. It's truly a chore to read.

Here is the opening 20 pages, so you can skip to page 21 without missing anything: Dora and Owen have sex. Owen dumps Dora with a note by the coffeemaker. Dora is angry. Dora meets old friend at bar. They talk. Yada. Yada. Yada.

Absolutely nothing happens in the first 20 pages that is important. It reads like Jack Ketchum was following you around on a bad day and writing about it in his journal.

And speaking of writing, Old Flames is very disjointed and doesn't flow well at all. I am an avid Ketchum reader, and this is the only story I have read by him that was like trudging through molasses in January. The story is dull, and the prose is hard to read. Just no flow.

And what about Right to Life? It's like The Girl Next Door Lite. You're better off purchasing Ketchum's short story collection, Peaceable Kingdom.

Ketchum has once again created memorable characters and written a super fast read - a couple of hours, at most.
This one will definitely make you think twice about any old girlfriends (or boyfriends for that matter) and it will make you hope that they don't decide to track you down. . .

[This book one also includes a bonus novella - Right to Life, which I already own separately, and read years ago.]
I can tell you that I still remember that novella memorably, which tells you the power of it!

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This was my first Jack Ketchum book....I know, i know where have i been....but i was very impressed. This was a very good book with 2 stories, Old flames and Right to life. After reading this book i can say that i am now a Ketchum fan and will be getting my little hands on everything or almost everything he has out. I would highly recommend this book, it's a page turner.

I was quite excited to learn that Leisure was publishing a new novel by Ketchum. It felt like ages since we'd read something new from him. But I have to admit that it was quite disappointing to see that the novel itself, Old Flames, was barely 125 pages long. The rest of the length is given to the 'bonus novella' Right to Life, one of Ketchum's best.

Old Flames is one of Ketchum lesser's effort. I would actually only give it two stars. It is too brief, and none of it really feels fleshed out. When Dora is dumped by her boyfriend, she decides that she needs to find her high school love and rekindle things with him. Although he is now married with children, nothing will stop Dora from getting what she wants. Sounds simple? It is. Sounds too simple? It is. The story is uneven and never really fleshes anything out. Many scenes feel like they were placed there only to add a few more words to a short story. There are scenes that are totally unecessary (as when Dora takes a side trip and meets a man. The point where Dora flips and becomes a jealous murderess is never obvious to the reader. Most of her decisions seem to be unaccounted for and too out of the blue.

Then, there's Right To Life. This story is the perfect example of Ketchum's talent. No wonder Stephen King called Ketchum the scariest man in America! In this story (which is much more a novel than Old Flames is) a pregnant woman is abducted and tortured by a twisted, sadistic couple. It's never really clear why this couple abducts her, it's never really clear what they want out of her. This is what makes the story so terrifying. As they play with her mind and torture her, you never know where this story will take you. Yes it is revolting, yes it is shocking, but it's also a perfect character study that tries to explain the evils of this world.

So what do you do when a book collects two story, one that feels like an outline to a much better novel (or a story that would have been much better as a short story) and one story that is perfect and terrifying? Leisure should have advertised this novel as Right To Life, including a bonus new novella by the author instead of doing it the other way around. That way, maybe I wouldn't feel so cheated by the book itself. Either way, buy the book, skip the first story and read the second to meet the true talents of Jack Ketchum.

Many horror novels have their own bits of oddness, but Jack Ketchum's Old Flames has an oddity that is pretty rare. Although it is seeming a book featuring the story Old Flames with a "bonus novella" called Right to Life, it is actually the latter story that is the longer of the two. It's almost like eating a dinner in which the dessert is more important than the entrée. I suppose there's a good reason - probably because Old Flames is a new story and Right to Life is a reprint - but it still is a little strange. Weirdness of structure aside, however, this is still a good book.

Both stories are tales of non-supernatural horror. Old Flames is the story of Dora, a fortyish woman who's love life is going nowhere, leading her to track down her high school lover and meet up with him in a "chance" encounter. He's now happily married, but Dora's a woman who never backs down from a challenge, even if she needs to do criminal acts to achieve her goals.

Right to Life focuses on a different woman, Sara, who finds herself accidentally pregnant with her married lover's child. She opts for an abortion but is kidnapped outside the clinic by a sadistic couple who will subject her to increasing cruel physical and psychological torture. Their ultimate objective, however, is to take her child.

It is a wise choice on Ketchum's part not to make either of these stories truly novel length. Old Flames is an intense read, but there's not enough plot or character for a long book. Right to Life is even more intense - it is akin to that new horror film category known as torture-porn - which makes for compelling reading but also makes the reader want the experience to end. I haven't read much Ketchum beyond this book, but if this is representative of his work, he is a pretty good horror writer who knows how to mix suspense and terror very well.

I love a good reference to the Salem times as much as anyone, so I have nothing against the sly horror of lies and rebellion and betrayal. And Ms. Rees is certainly if nothing a pretty writer.

Still, it seemed more attempt to make an exciting plot than truly create characterization and terror. A little fluffy while trying to be serious.

Still, it's a worthy read and should be best appreciated by teenagers looking for something with a darker spark.

One of the reasons I enjoyed this book was the simplicity of the story while offering young readers the chance to have a history lesson of life in 1600's. The young main character, Mary, is set on a course of life where she is offered opportunities to change or stay true to her spiritual path as a witch. I think the word "witch" alone sets up a red flag for the reader. Assumptions and prejudices are foremost in the readers' minds but as the story unfolds we learn being a witch is a choice for living spiritually as is any person who choices a spiritual path. Mary must make choices and is supported by those who understand her and I think that is what the young reader wishes to experience in her or his life, understanding. I will and have, recommended this book for younger and older people interested in understanding witches. Easy read.

Reminiscent of Arthur Miller's Crucible. Nothing too original and the writing style is mediocre. But my 12 year old niece thoroughly enjoyed this book. I'll read the sequel anyways, though.

I read this book a couple of months ago and I thought it was really good the only down fall was that there are dull parts in the book.

The story starts off in the 1600s during the witch-hunt times, where young Mary Newbury has to begin a new life after the death of her grandmother. She travels to America with a lady named Martha who takes her in. It isn't expressed in great detail, but hinted when Mary and Martha met that Martha knows more about what Mary is going though than she lets on. It is obvious that anyone deemed 'different' back in those times had to be very careful, especially if they practiced with herbal remedies, etc.
The book is written diary format, since the story is 'based' on a diary that was found stitched in a quilt. Martha had found Mary's diary one night, and knew that if the wrong person read it Mary would be in grave danger. Mary, not wanting to burn her diary, took to folding each piece of paper and then stitching it in her quilt.
Honestly, if I had not read the fine print stating that this book was a work of fiction, I would've believed every single word.
It was amazingly put together with the note at the beginning from Alison Ellman and the afterword left by her as well. Most definatly one would think that it was indeed a real-life story!
I am sure likely happened similar to this story took place in the 1600's, it was definatly a troubled time period.
This book takes you back to the time period where everyone was severely and wrongfully judged. To me it is a history lesson, and a lesson on how people can be so quick to judge, especially when they fear differences.

Flora's Dare is the sequel to Flora Segunda and although there are quite a few references to book one, this book is a stand alone. Flora is a typical teenage girl living in the Magikal city of Califa. Her parents expect her to follow the family tradition of joining the Califa army when she comes of age however Flora's secret goal is to become a Ranger. To do this she has to master the Magikal language of Gramatica. Flora is determined to find a teacher so that she can become as powerful as her Ranger hero Nini Mo.

Flora's plans are all changed as she's attacked by tentacle that comes up through the plumbing while attending a concert with her best friend Udo. She narrowly escapes the tentacle and figures out that the creature in the plumbing is the Lolgia monster trapped under the city long ago by a woman threatening to overthrow the government by unleashing the monster. Now Flora has to team up with Lord Axacaya who promises teach Flora Gramatica. Together they can free the monster and save the city. As the story unfolds Flora loses her best friend, gets grounded for passing curfew, travels in time, gets betrayed by someone close to her, discovers the truth about her family and of course saves the city.

At first I was hesitant about reading this book. It's second in a series that I hadn't read and it is 511 pages. However once I started it was hard to put down. Wilce writes a funny story that is great for both YA and adult readers of fantasy books. The magikal city of Califa is very believable and Flora's daring adventures keep you turning pages until the end. I will definitely be reading book one and eagerly awaiting book three in the sequel.

I'm a reader and one day I did not, seemingly, have anything to read. I asked my son if he could suggest anything and he said Stephen King. He did not see me for about three months after that, and we live in the same apartment. I read almost everything Stephen King wrote. This book is a special book - I mean in general. Berni Wrightson's illustrations make it a book I would grab to save if there was a fire, and I have a lot of books. This story is not like the video. The book is nicely framed in twelve sections according to months, and so we are treated to a woodcut-like black and white picture first thing, and then to a color, very well executed, scary picture of a pivotal event, in every chapter. Good versus evil at its very best! - no spoiler. (And then Stephen King, in one of his books, turned me on to Stephen Dobyns, for which I am very grateful . . .)

Cycle of the Werewolf is a small book only about 130 pages but within those pages stephen king puts some great story telling you've herd about the Werewolf but now King puts pen to paper to tell about there as the title states there cycle and how they act. The book has amazing drawings by Bernie Wrightson.

During Each month the Full moon comes out and with each full moon so dose the werewolf, The werewolf comes killing something each time it comes out it starts out small but it progresses as it goes along eventuly killing humans.

Cycle of The Werewolf is a good short read for King Fans with (as i states very nice drawings by Bernie Wrightson) a good read that i would highly recomend 5/5 The Drawings by Bernie Wrightson also get 5/5.

The title of this book--"Cycle of the Werewolf"--is fairly self-explanatory. It's as simple as this; a small town, Tarker's Mills, has a big problem to worry about. One of its residents has become a werewolf. Once a month, during the--you guessed it--full moon, the werewolf attacks, each incident having a different outcome or repercussion.

Stephen King masterfully writes each of his characters, major or inconsequential, as fully fleshed out people with unique traits. Truly, no one can write about a small-town terror like King. Though a few chapters of this book (one for every month in the year that this story spans) don't seem to have an effect on this story--this short novel doesn't really 'find itself' until the sixth chapter (July)--when read as a whole, the random victims and the lives/stories cut short in the earlier chapters in this book are actually a reminder of the mindless, emotionless, random murder that the titular creature is best known for. However, as I favor character driven novels over plot-driven stories, the aspect of this book that I enjoyed the most were the three chapters told through the eyes of Marty Coslaw. To reveal any more about the way this story works and the aspects that I enjoyed would be to venture into spoiler territory, and I certainly don't plan on doing that.

The format of this book is very interesting. It's designed like a trade paperback (comics fans will know the term), though its size is that of a 'digest' novel. Berni Wrightson's art is gory and rough, and--though it isn't my 'kind' of art--it certainly suits the book. However, readers, be warned; there isn't as much content here as it may first appear. There are many illustrations and other material taking up the pages and, in my opinion, it adds to the overall effect. As this was meant to be a straightforward story, I'm glad that each chapter was short and to the point. But it's only fair that I warn everyone else, who may not agree with me.

8/10

For some reason I have never read this book by King. I was working on the horror section in the bookstore in which I work and "found" this one. I have never read this one and started to wonder why. This is a very short and very fast read but it's also very good.

King is an amazing author and he's even better with his shorter stories because it's like an LSD shot of horror!!

This is a short, not particularly interesting novel told in twelve parts. It also has some illustrations by famous comic artist Bernie Wrightson.

When the killings in a small town in yes, Maine, keep mounting up, the townspeople come to the conclusion a werewolf is at work. Redneck drunk hunters aren't too useful though, and a young crippled boy has to work it all out.

Out of all S.D Perry's RE books, this one was my least favorite. This may have a lot to do with the fact that I'm not too fond of Claire Redfield and she's the main character in it. I absolutely love all the other books, but this one didn't catch my interest like the others.

Oh my god let me just say this book totaly rocked. Reading this book was almost as fun as playing the game. I was totally happy. You must check this book out, and all the other books in this series

Apparently these are based on the game, which I have never played. A young woman is held captive by a pair of twins who are related to the whole Umbrella thing. They have a very twisted relationship.

She manages to get out, and meets a boy around the area, and they try and escape, dodging monsters.

Elsewhere, the girl's brother, a S.T.A.R.S. member, decides to come looking for her.

The female twin is the carrier of the T-Veronica virus, meaning she can become a superhuman shapeshifter. This is bad news for some.

This book was enjoyable. I was glad that Steve died; he was too annoying in the game and the book reminded me why.

Exotic locales are the springboard in this latest entry of S. D. Perry's 'RE' offering. From a South Atlantic island off the coast of South America to bases at the South Pole on the Antartic continent, exotic realms abound. Add to this a secluded mansion inhabited by reclusive twins and haunted by Bandersnatches, this strange brew conjures an unusual concoction of imagary spanning everthing from 'The Thing' to 'Alice's Adventures In Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass'. traditional elements of gothic novels are prevelant as well. Yet, through all of this, 'Code: Veronica' often remains cryptic as the many parts to this puzzle lose cohesion and the conclusion having the impression of being forced or rushed. At times, the residents of this 'Resident Evil' almost seem unclear how to stay in character. Though there is a bit of a fumble here, S. D. Perry does a respectable job at providing a readable sixth tale for the 'RE' franchise volumes of books.

This book was a little childish and choppy but it was good. It was a total speed-read and it only took me about an hour to read it. It was cool that it was about animals and the author used pretty good personification. The kids were really annoying though. Good book.

It was a very good book to read.I liked the book,eventhough i didn't finish the story.The story was about two dogs and one cat the cats name was Chester. The dogs name was Howie and Harold

As much as Harold would love to put mystery, horror, and suspense behind him, and spend his days lounging about the kitchen waiting for his next chocolate treat; with Chester the neurotic, hare-brained, paranoid kitty quickly dashes those dreams, and does the unthinkable - drags Harold into his next crazy scheme. While Harold, Howie, and Chester are accompanying the Monroe family on an impromptu camping trip, Chester announces to his canine comrades that May 5 - Saint George's Day - is upon them; thus, spirits will be hovering about the moment the clock strikes midnight. Harold instantly knows that this is the worst possible time to be camping in the creepy woods, especially with such inexperienced campers such as Mr. and Mrs. Monroe, and their budding Boy Scouts, Toby and Pete. But when the Monroe's run into two bumbling men - Bud and Spud - along with their scruffy dog, Dawg, the Monroe pets know that something fishy is surrounding them. Howie is instantly mesmerized by Dawg, and becomes his bosom buddy; Harold is trying to accept the stubby-legged pooch simply as a new friend; but Chester is convinced that Dawg is nothing but trouble, set-up to lure them away from the Monroe's so that Bud and Spud can do all sorts of evil things to the unsuspecting humans. When Dawg suggests a trip through the woods to show the Monroe pets something interesting, Howie, Harold, and Chester are only too eager to go. But when they discover that they seem to be lost in the woods, they begin to wonder whether Dawg intentionally lured them away from their owners, or if there was simply a glitch in his tracking. When they're unable to find their way back to the campsite, Chester is the first to freak out, and finds himself worrying about leaving the Monroe's overnight, in the hands of spirits run amok, not to mention the bizarre Bud and Spud. But the boys find it difficult to lose Dawg, and make their way back to camp before it's too late, and they never see the Monroe's again. Chester is convinced that the only possible way to escape from Dawg's clutches is to tell him a bedtime story that will, hopefully, lull him to sleep, and create the perfect escape plan for the Monroe pets. But as soon as Chester begins the tale, it turns into a horrific, hare-raising story about the origins of their bunny brother, Bunnicula, and his life as a vampire amongst human vampires in both Transylvania and England. The trouble with Chester's story, is that, while it is a spooky tale that many would love to hear around the campfire; it poses many frightening thoughts, and serves to give each of the four-legged creatures nightmares, as opposed to a peaceful doze. Now Chester and Harold have no idea whether Dawg will be able to get some shut-eye, or find himself on edge all night, all thanks to Chester's creepy creation. And without Dawg falling asleep, the end could be quite near for the Monroe's.

While I never read anything by James Howe when I was younger; over the past couple of years, I have found myself drawn to his BUNNICULA series, making me incapable of resisting any of his stories about the Monroe family pets. NIGHTY-NIGHTMARE proves the same. As with the previous books, Chester seems to be the most neurotic character in the tale - which isn't that unusual for a feline. His constant musings about horror stories, and creepy legends set the reader on edge; while his ability to cause paranoia in his canine brothers is humorous, and really lends a laugh to the story. Harold is his usual self, thinking about nothing more than tasty S'mores, long naps, and dinner. His narration is enjoyable; while his easy-going, laid-back attitude provides a more relaxed edge to the story. Howie, on the other hand, is as rambunctious as ever. The little pup seems to go a mile a minute with his rapid thoughts; and his trusting nature can sometimes make the reader worry about his safety, as he manages to get himself into all sorts of trouble. Howie truly embodies the spirit of a puppy, and I have to give Howe credit for managing to get inside a pup's head, and giving him a unique, playful, voice of a youngster. While Bunnicula is not really present throughout NIGHTY-NIGHTMARE - except for the role he plays during Chester's scary story - he is replaced by Dawg, a country dog with an attitude. Dawg is a fun addition to the story. His oft-times clueless nature, and ability to bring out the panic in Chester is humorous; while his kind treatment of Howie makes you instantly like him. While Dawg often comes off as shady, or being up-to-something, he easily redeems himself many times, so that the reader has mixed feelings about his character. Howe has woven another delightful tale from THE HOUSE OF BUNNICULA that will keep readers occupied long into the night. A word of advice, if you're headed on a camping trip, leave NIGHTY-NIGHTMARE at home.

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Anyway!!,this novel is written by Howard the dog.(no really)and he tells of his scary adventure in the woods,with 2 strange fellas and their ugly dog with an attitude problem.
Cons..The story one of the dogs was telling was boring and took up too much space.

This one was just alright. It's the second sequel to the classic original BUNNICULA. It's not really bad but it's boring in part; like I found the whole first chapter to be a bore.

It does get sort of scary in parts, but nothing major. Read it if you want. It's fun. But, for really good BUNNICULA bookds, I recommend: BUNNICULA, THE CELERY STALKS AT MIDNIGHT, HOWLIDAY INN, RETURN TO HOWLIDAY INN, CREEPY CRAWLY BIRTHDAY, THE FRIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS, HOT FUDGE, RABBIT-KADABRA, and BUNNICULA STRIKES AGAIN.

Sunday, July 09, 2006
"Sphere" by Michael Crichton, ©1987
This is an interesting book. I started reading it because it seemed better than that J. A. Jance story I had brought with me.
It has the distinction of having a psychologist as its hero. There are not too many science fiction books that even have psychologists in them, much less, as the hero. The best part of the story is the end: it makes so much sense and it was so obvious to start with. Then there is the inevitable what happens now that we all feel after a good story.

This was the first Crichton book I read a really long time ago. The book is great. Way better than the movie that came out. The mood and characters were developed so well and just kept me reading.

Michael Crichton weaves an awesome tale in Sphere. It's a unique and mind-bending tale that spins from one catastrophe to another with nice fluidity. Your'e constantly reading to find out not only what the Sphere is but the history of the characters. Crichton explains some difficult concepts using simple grammar which will help any reader who didn't pass chemistry. The Sphere is a character in it's self and that help propels the story forward. It's very creepy and makes you realize how powerful free will is. I highly recommend it because of the action, characters and story.

The writing in this book was really good. The underwater scenes described and the dicovery of an unusual spaceship at the bottom of the ocean are rivetting. I love books that explore and discover something unknown! The ending however is really, really ...lame! Like he intellectually just ran out of gas and wanted to end the story right away. (It is very similar to the movie.)

I've read this one 3 times and it's one of my favorite books of all time. Crichton's writing is as smooth as anyone I've read. Great story. Sped through this in about 2.5 days.

Yet another great game->book translation by S.D. Perry. If you've enjoyed the other RE books you'll love this one as well.

This book was great even though it did not follow the game, exactly. nemesis was sweet in the book aswas really well written and kept he should be. This book my intrest from page one.

I really liked this book better than Caliban Cove or Zero Hour. This book introduces you to two new charaters Carlos Oliveira and Nicolai Ginovaef. The book starts with Carlos getting a call from his squad leader about going on a umbrella operation. Umbrella labeled it a chemical spill.Yeah right!!While Carlos is walking towards the Umbrella office to get briefed on the operation he meets the mysterious Mr. Trent who gives him some important information. Also Jill Valentine an X-S.T.A.R.S member is trying to get out of Raccoon. This book had some similarities to the Resident Evil Apocalypse movie which I also liked. The best part I think was the tidbit of information about Mr. Trent at the end. You find out what his motivation is for destroying Umbrella. All in all I rank it with The Umbrella Conspiracy and City of the dead two other S.D. Perry masterpieces. Well I have one more book to read Code: Veronica and I will be done with the series. I am feeling kinda of sad because these books were so good and I don't know what will take it's place.

The story is basically based on the third game "Nemesis" of the Resident Evil series which I am a fan of. This is my favorite of all of the RE books. It brings the game story life and I felt it all over again. I just wish they'd do it for "Dino Crisis" as well.

Once again, Racoon City is awash with zombies, mutants, bioengineered badies and surgically enhanced nasties. 'Nemesis', though the fifth book in the series, is never short for new and unexpected horrors as a courtesy of S. D. Perry's skilled imagination and writing style. It seems with Umbrella at the helm and Ms. Perry there to guide their unscrupulous activities in new and horrific directions there is a never ending way for mutagenic virus to wreak havoc. As expected, blood does flow and, as usual, the body count rises rapidily in a repetative but otherwise well paced and evenly told tale.

Cockroaches and Ants and Nukes! Oh, my! This is definitely not a read for Twinkies. Nor is it for folks who are easily bugged (though the certifiably buggy will have a field day). It may encroach on your sensibilities and antagonize your digestion.

If this is the way the world tries to off itself, I might as well cut and leave right now. This is a quick read and not a bit sluggish or boring. I really liked it and my friend Katy did, too.

Time flies and my wife is telling me I must quit. OK Honey .... (psst - read this, you'll get a real buzz!)

...is the life of a man wearing twinkies meets a man wearing a suit of cockroaches. It warmed my heart to read who got eaten. (You must buy the book to find out.) JRJ has become THE author to watch on my 'authors-to-watch' list. This was my first contact with his work, and I've read it at least four or five times since. I've loaned it out to friends (it's on loan as I write this review, as a matter of fact,) and I've told nearly everyone I know who would be interested in this book. So, I'm telling you, too. Buy it!

PS-The fact that he is closely associated with The Mars Volta is synchronicity at its best for me as well.

A truly original story, from a fresh voice in fiction. A must-read for any readers looking for something new.

"Extinction Journals" picks up where the "The Sharp Dressed Man At the End of the Line" leaves off. For those of you unfamiliar with that story, it can be found in Mr. Johnson's short story collection, "Angel Dust Apocalypse." Without giving too much away, we meet Dean in the last days before World War III, a young man who believes that he can survive the aftermath of a nuclear war if he's wearing a suit made of cockroaches. As the story ends, Dean is proved correct.

"Extinction Journals" follows Dean around as he makes his way through the nuclear bomb ravaged wasteland of what was once the USA. He struggles to find food and water, all the while wondering if his "suit" will, out of desperation and hunger, turn on him. Along the way, he meets a new god, borne out of mankind's collective unconscious. Neither Dean nor the reader is sure whether or not he's hallucinating, but considering he just survived a nuclear war we have to give him some leeway.

Ultimately, Dean meets other entomologically enlightened individuals who are struggling to put some sense to this brave new world. At that point, they must decide how life will exist, post-humanity, or if it will exist at all.

JRJ has a knack for characterization, even if those characters are a bit twisted. Dean is a nice enough guy, but one has to really be out there to conceive of fashioning a suit out of cockroaches in order to survive a nuclear war. And JRJ's descriptions of the nuclear wasteland are convincingly real, making you shudder (and question Dean's desire to live to see it).

The story was way too short. While readers don't need to be familiar with the short story that preceded this novella, it definitely helps. Adding it as a preface, while driving up the publishing costs, would have enhanced the reading experience for new readers of JRJ's work.

I also had a feeling of repetition between Dean's encounters. It was as if he were stumbling upon the same old irradiated buildings he wandered into earlier.

Lastly, I was hoping for more of an exploration of the relationship between Dean and his suit. I really couldn't get the sense that the symbiosis between man and roach was evolving until the very end. Maybe evolution itself works like that. Rather than gradual changes, we get abrupt "do or die" situations.

While I enjoyed this book, I feel that, for the reasons stated above, it falls a little short of JRJ's previous works. Newcomers should pick up his earlier works first before coming here. Fans of JRJ's work will still want to add this to their collections.

In an age where misinformation has spread to epidemic proportions, where the issues of peak oil and environmental collapse are addressed by the creation of hybrid SUVs, and where technology has quietly invaded and altered every aspect of human life, books like Extinction Journals are more important than ever. Despite all of today's problems (a looming conflict with Iran, celebrity antics, etc.), it's still possible to find hope for a solution. And yeah, constructing a cockroach suit to survive nuclear fallout isn't exactly a solution, but it does shed some light on the utter absurdity of our current dilemmas. As Dean, the novella's protagonist, says, "One day you go to bed happy. The next day your dad dies. In a stupid, stupid way."

Later, after Dean encounters a woman who also owes her life to insects, we eventually come to learn that as devastating as the planet's destruction might be, it doesn't have to be all misery and loneliness. Even when just about every living thing has been annihilated, there still exists a potential for new life. In this case, that new life might turn out to be far stranger than any Darwinist can conceive.

A few have pointed out that Extinction Journals isn't perfect, and upon first reading, it did feel too rushed toward the end. After reading it again, this was far less of an issue. As is the case with many short novels, characters aren't always fully fleshed out, but the re-read demonstrated that this isn't necessarily detrimental to the book either.

If you're looking for a fresh, freakishly funny read, look no further than Extinction Journals. Your inner insect won't regret it.

I have to say these sorts of stories have gotten me through grad school... Though I own more than one Victorian horror anthology, this was my latest acquisition and undoubtedly high ranking amongst my favorites...most of the time I'd study all day and just want something relaxing to read a 20 minute getaway and since most of the stories are short enough to not be imposing and if you have quite an imagination about you, you'll enjoy the ornate details which will carry you back to a more decadent era filled with mystery... I felt thoroughly entertained by the eloquence and detailed verbal imagery. I was able to sustain myself through yet another day...The book is a compilation of many authors such as sir Arthur Conan Doyle... it is a nice medley... so you'll always have a "surprise me" trust me you will not regret this buy.. If you want a break from the politics, economics, social structure of the world around you to your private little sanctuary... then just turn on a few candles on a chilly autumn evening and prepare to be delighted with any one of these tales...

For the sake of atmosphere, read "Victorian Ghost Stories" with a candle to light your way through its mysterious passages.

A very large candle.

There are thirty-five stories within its four-hundred-and-eighty-nine pages, and you must read them all before dawn.

Actually, you should savor this supernatural feast one story at a time. Its editors, who are both scholars of occult literature, collected the best of the best from the Golden Age of ghost story writing. If you are already a reader of the phantasmagoric, some of the anthology will be familiar, e.g. "An Account of Some Strange Disturbances in Aungier Street," "The Romance of Certain Old Clothes," or "John Charrington's Wedding."

There are also lesser-known tales of vengeful ghosts, haunted houses, and "things in a dead man's eye," the latter courtesy of Rudyard Kipling's "At the End of the Passage."

According to the editors' introduction, one of their aims for this anthology was to "map out the development of the Victorian ghost story from circa 1850...it is in the 1850s that the distinct, anti-Gothic character of the Victorian ghost story begins to emerge." Which is not to say that the Gothic emphasis on moldering sepulchres is altogether missing. Try "The Tomb of Sarah" by F. G. Loring, whose story begins with the memorial inscription:

"SARAH. 1630. FOR THE SAKE OF THE DEAD AND THE WELFARE OF THE LIVING, LET THIS SEPULCHRE REMAIN UNTOUCHED AND ITS OCCUPANT UNDISTURBED TILL THE COMING OF CHRIST."

Of course, the story's protagonist believes he has an excellent reason for disturbing the dead. Or in Sarah's case, the Undead.

Make certain your candle is not burning low before you start "The Tomb of Sarah," or any of the other tales in this haunting collection.

A sampling of the stories:

"Father Macclesfield's Tale" (1907) by Monsignor R.H. Benson--This author was a lesser-known brother of the famed E.F. Benson, and private chamberlain to Pope Pius X. This story is narrated by a priest who is called to the death-bed of a man who could not tolerate the thought of annihilation.

"The Kit Bag" (1908) by Algernon Blackwood--The private secretary of a criminal lawyer accidentally takes home the kit bag of a brutal murderer to pack up for a Christmas trip to the Alps.

"An Eddy on the Floor" (1899) by Bernard Capes--The warden of one of His Majesty's prisons invites a young doctor to accept a post at the prison. The new physician soon learns that a certain empty cell was not only bolted, but screwed shut from the outside. All of the prisoners are afraid of it.

"The Old Nurse's Story" (1852) by Elizabeth Gaskell--A young girl goes to work as little Rosamund's maid at Furnivall Manor, a very grand mansion located at the foot of the lonely Cumberland Fells. Rosamund's distant relative, eighty-year-old Miss Furnival is a proud, cold spinster with many secrets to hide.

"At the End of the Passage" (1890) by Rudyard Kipling--A very atmospheric tale of four English Civil servants who are trying to cope with the dust, heat, and disease of an Indian summer. One of them admits that he can't sleep. In fact it terrifies him to even think of falling asleep.

"John Charrington's Wedding" (1891) by E. Nesbit--A much-collected Victorian ghost story. It's bad enough when brides are accidentally locked into chests or pursued by demon lovers, but when the groom is overheard telling his fiancée, "My dear, my dear, I believe I should come from the dead if you wanted me!" watch out!

"The Body-snatcher" (1884) by Robert Louis Stevenson--"To see, fixed in the rigidity of death and naked on the coarse layer of sack-cloth, the man whom he had left well-clad and full of meat and sin upon the threshold of a tavern, awoke, even in the thoughtless Fettes, some of the terrors of the conscience." Two medical students venture into a graveyard to find a subject for dissection.

"Thurnley Abbey" (1908) by Perceval Landon--The new owners of Thurnley Abbey invite one of their friends to stay overnight, without telling him that he will be sleeping in the haunted bedroom. Believing the creature that appears at his bedfoot to be a hoax, the angry guest tears it apart bone by bone.

This is an exceptional anthology of Victorian ghost stories; all are short stories which are easily read in a brief sitting. The book serves as a remarkable spyglass into another era, one wholly foreign to our own. I enjoy each creepy tale and find the mix of authors to be effectively selected and simply organized. A truly fun read. Recommended.